Twitter Chats Unhinged: Formats to Support Differentiation

In an effort to move beyond the traditional format (Q1, Q2, A1, A2) of Twitter Chats, I’d like to highlight a varied approach to Twitter chats. I challenge you, as a Twitter chat host, to try something different…something that meets the purpose of your chat…to use a format that promotes a differentiated approach to the question & answer format.

Topic & ConversationPurpose: To generate dialogue around a specific topicInstructions: This Twitter Chat format will be “Topic & Conversation”. The moderator will pose a topic to the hashtag and participants will respond directly to other participants using the hashtag. This formats promotes unstructured conversation around a selected topic.

Google Doc’ingPurpose: To curate a pool of ideas, resources, best practices, etc. around a topicInstructions: This Twitter Chat format will be “Google Doc’ing” allowing participants to access and edit a Google Doc to support learning. Participants add to the Google Doc to curate appropriate information for the task/request presented. The Google Doc serves as the digital filing cabinet to be accessed regarding needs related to the purpose.

Problem & SolutionsPurpose: To curate a pool of potential solutions to solve an issue/problemInstructions: This Twitter Chat format will be “Problem & Solutions” allowing participants to interact with each other to generate an assortment of solutions to resolve an issue/problem.

Devil’s AdvocatePurpose: Provides an opportunity to challenge an idea or topic from a variety of viewpointsInstructions: This Twitter Chat format will be “Devil’s Advocate”, having participants challenge an idea or topic by identifying potential threats and weaknesses that may hinder success. This type of chat allows the topic to be exposed by/from a variety of sources.

EdCamp StylePurpose: Provides an opportunity for all participants to submit a topic of conversation to the audience/other participantsInstructions: This Twitter Chat format will be “EdCamp Style”, giving participants an open format to have a conversation with other participants about any topic of choice. Usually the topic is a question or a thought that allows for additional elaboration. This participant-driven experience allows everyone to have equally ownership and input in the chat.